Anyone working for Customs NZ?

[Robert Taylor]

EVERYONE should pay clearance and gst irrespective of true value of goods. Im all for level playing fields. It would be a great way of creating more tax revenue and jobs at the same time.

[Quasievil]

Until Aprilia NZ get there shits together I don’t think many riders will support them.

I didnt buy a Aprillia for this reason, I brought a KTM instead, no issues there

[kevin-chow]

I didnt buy a Aprillia for this reason, I brought a KTM instead, no issues there

Im thinking that way too!

[mossy1200]

Im all up for supporting NZ bike shops but if they cant tell me what time frame for parts then I will look some where else. Last time I got some oil filter on back order dealer, waited 3 months for that. The problem is not the dealer, its Aprillia NZ not up to the game. I can tell you the parts from off shore are not any cheaper. Until Aprilia NZ get there shits together I don’t think many riders will support them.

And ill buy local if the price is close.
I got a quote for carbs from thunderbike (t100)for $2500
Cost me $960 including freight and gst(import)

Thats a criminal profit on one item so easy to obtain.Im not paying $1500 extra on an item.

[JATZ]

I would definitly buy local IF the price was in the same ball park and the goods arrival time was about the same as buying off shore. FFS I can get gaskets from the U.K. in 3 days as opposed to 3 weeks from the local supplier ( and they were the wrong ones), bits from Germany in about 10 days, took a month to get them here.
Sorry...... thread hijack......
As you were, hope you get your issues sorted Kevin

[Robert Taylor]

And ill buy local if the price is close.
I got a quote for carbs from thunderbike (t100)for $2500
Cost me $960 including freight and gst(import)

Thats a criminal profit on one item so easy to obtain.Im not paying $1500 extra on an item.

Their profit would be nothing even close to that. Many US companies can buy off manufacturers in US$ and that often gives them a huge advantage, plus bulk buying. Its not a level playing field and the yanks are helping to screw our local economy big time.

[Robert Taylor]

Im all up for supporting NZ bike shops but if they cant tell me what time frame for parts then I will look some where else. Last time I got some oil filter on back order dealer, waited 3 months for that. The problem is not the dealer, its Aprillia NZ not up to the game. I can tell you the parts from off shore are not any cheaper. Until Aprilia NZ get there shits together I don’t think many riders will support them.

Its easy to point the finger and make assumptions without realising the complexities of what may lie behind it.. There are terrible problems at present with material shortages and also quality of materials. We have lots of Ohlins mx steering dampers on order at present but Ohlins have not been happy with the material quality available. This has been ongoing for 3 months and the date has been moving back and back. I admire them for sticking to their guns on quality, it will come up to standard and until it does there will be no product!
Also consider that there are many subcontractors making parts for the factories. There have been many staff layoffs and bankruptcies because overall world motorcycle production is down nearly 40%. That will have a serious residual effect for some considerable time as everyone gets back on their feet. There will be much longer lead times. That is a cruel but unavoidable reality.

[mossy1200]

Their profit would be nothing even close to that. Many US companies can buy off manufacturers in US$ and that often gives them a huge advantage, plus bulk buying. Its not a level playing field and the yanks are helping to screw our local economy big time.

Im not sure if your trying to say that Thunderbike which is NZ triumph accessory dealer cant get Keihin cr carbs designed as bolt on kit for bonnevilles as cheep or cheeper than I can.I got the impression they had a guess at a price and called it my quote.They told me that they had put some on a thruxton race bike at some point in the past and we are only talking twin carbs not a block of four.
It took me a couple of minutes to find them for $560 usd plus freight and the company that sold them asked for all my existing mods and rejetted them prior to sending and gave me one size up and down jets at no charge because they expected difference in petrol quality.6days on my door step.

I know that your service is well worth paying for RT but that doesnt extend to every other shop in NZ.Service I dont mind paying extra for but these guys needed to put more effort in to grab my money.People say keep the money in New Zealand but whats the difference.Logic says that they would source the part overseas and therefore send money away anyway.I would rather keep the difference in my own pocket in NZ.

I was expecting a quote around 1100-1200 odd not 2500.
How can they expect to make sales and profit if their pencil is blunt.

[kave]

For me my bike is my only form of transport. If I need a part, I need it now. Every day that I am without my bike costs me excessive amounts of money in transport costs, and can triple the amount of time I spend commuting (which means less time with my family). If a part is going to take three months to turn up, it would be cheaper for me to buy another cheap bike on trademe than to wait. If I have the option of waiting a week to get a part from overseas or waiting three months to get the same part from my local supplier, then there is no real question as to which course I will take. I would love to help support local businesses, and if the wait was an extra day or two (and the price charged wasn't three times what I can get it elsewhere for) then I would do so.

My situation is different from many. Flash businessmen blinging out their brand new Harleys or MV Agustas are not as price-driven as I am. Some products (such as suspension) may require fine-tuning by a supplier. Those dealers who deal with luxury items or provide a high level of service to those who require it understandably charge a premium, but a bike shop shouldn't be trying to charge a three figure sum for a basic OEM Suzuki brake lever.

[Robert Taylor]

Im not sure if your trying to say that Thunderbike which is NZ triumph accessory dealer cant get Keihin cr carbs designed as bolt on kit for bonnevilles as cheep or cheeper than I can.I got the impression they had a guess at a price and called it my quote.They told me that they had put some on a thruxton race bike at some point in the past and we are only talking twin carbs not a block of four.
It took me a couple of minutes to find them for $560 usd plus freight and the company that sold them asked for all my existing mods and rejetted them prior to sending and gave me one size up and down jets at no charge because they expected difference in petrol quality.6days on my door step.

I know that your service is well worth paying for RT but that doesnt extend to every other shop in NZ.Service I dont mind paying extra for but these guys needed to put more effort in to grab my money.People say keep the money in New Zealand but whats the difference.Logic says that they would source the part overseas and therefore send money away anyway.I would rather keep the difference in my own pocket in NZ.

I was expecting a quote around 1100-1200 odd not 2500.
How can they expect to make sales and profit if their pencil is blunt.

I hear you but I was also trying to illustrate that its not always as simple as it seems on the surface. Often it seems that there are too many barriers to being in business in NZ and trying to make a decent living. The playing field is also very definitely not level!!!!
Those that are too lethargic to get out of their own way, well I guees they dont deserve to be in business anyway.

[Robert Taylor]

For me my bike is my only form of transport. If I need a part, I need it now. Every day that I am without my bike costs me excessive amounts of money in transport costs, and can triple the amount of time I spend commuting (which means less time with my family). If a part is going to take three months to turn up, it would be cheaper for me to buy another cheap bike on trademe than to wait. If I have the option of waiting a week to get a part from overseas or waiting three months to get the same part from my local supplier, then there is no real question as to which course I will take. I would love to help support local businesses, and if the wait was an extra day or two (and the price charged wasn't three times what I can get it elsewhere for) then I would do so.

My situation is different from many. Flash businessmen blinging out their brand new Harleys or MV Agustas are not as price-driven as I am. Some products (such as suspension) may require fine-tuning by a supplier. Those dealers who deal with luxury items or provide a high level of service to those who require it understandably charge a premium, but a bike shop shouldn't be trying to charge a three figure sum for a basic OEM Suzuki brake lever.

Bike shop margins are anything but flash!

[mossy1200]

I hear you but I was also trying to illustrate that its not always as simple as it seems on the surface. Often it seems that there are too many barriers to being in business in NZ and trying to make a decent living. The playing field is also very definitely not level!!!!
Those that are too lethargic to get out of their own way, well I guees they dont deserve to be in business anyway.

I hear you Robert but at the price i was quoted I couldnt afford to get my wallet from my pocket.I went to my local shop and they recommended Thunderbike as being a good start.I use my shop as often as possible but still need to get some bits overseas.
Take for example I will want ya828 next year.Can be sourced local or overseas.ya828 with ride height adjuster and custom weighted spring with back up service at a price thats not over the top can be sourced local only.Local supplier survives,thrives,increases customer base and creates free word of mouth future sales.Thats better than an over inflatted most likely guessed price by a shop that claims to be NZ leader in triumph accessery parts who makes no sale or friends in the process.
Word of mouths a funny thing.Your never to sure how well its working.I have pointeda gsxr front end and fzr rear end your way in posties this month so far.The only thing that travels faster than good news is bad news.

[kave]

Bike shop margins are anything but flash!

I am unsure as to where I said they were? But, if I can get the identical part from overseas, for less than half the price, in less than half the time, as much as I want to support New Zealand businesses I simply cannot afford to. I honestly wish I had the luxury of being able to support my local bikeshop, but I can't. I do support my local bike mechanic, and that is because he is providing a service that cannot be posted to your door.

[kevin-chow]

Its easy to point the finger and make assumptions without realising the complexities of what may lie behind it.. There are terrible problems at present with material shortages and also quality of materials. We have lots of Ohlins mx steering dampers on order at present but Ohlins have not been happy with the material quality available. This has been ongoing for 3 months and the date has been moving back and back. I admire them for sticking to their guns on quality, it will come up to standard and until it does there will be no product!
Also consider that there are many subcontractors making parts for the factories. There have been many staff layoffs and bankruptcies because overall world motorcycle production is down nearly 40%. That will have a serious residual effect for some considerable time as everyone gets back on their feet. There will be much longer lead times. That is a cruel but unavoidable reality.

Im not making any assumptions, I know for fact that Aprillia has been taken over by Triumph NZ so every thing is not up to order so that’s why they cant tell me a time frame for parts.

[firefighter]

Im not making any assumptions, I know for fact that Aprillia has been taken over by Triumph NZ so every thing is not up to order so that’s why they cant tell me a time frame for parts.

Don't make excuses for yourself Kev.

You found better service with an overseas company, I don't blame you really. If the Aprilia company in N.Z wants to compete it can learn how to deal with it's customers better, and treat you like you should be treated. You walked away because it was easier to source what you needed yourself.....who's fault is that? Not yours at all.

However, before you bite Bob, I DO support local dealers, I buy a shit load of stuff from them, and I DO look there first.

However some things I buy overseas as i'd be a fool to buy old technology at premium prices, with less product in the hand; eg. why do overseas helmets come with more toys and you have to pay for the standard stuff as extras here? And this is already on top of paying more for the thing in the first place? I mean come on, that's just not cricket now is it?